Is Freemasonry a secret society?

No, it is not. Members of a secret society keep hidden the fact that they belong to it. Even the existence of such a society may be denied. Freemasonry is not a secret society, but is a society with secrets.

As a Master Mason, may I visit another American Lodge at any time?

Only those which are recognized by your Grand Lodge. Actually, it is the privilege of the Worshipful Master to grant or deny the admission of a visiting Brother into his Lodge. There may be times when private matters concerning only the Lodge may be on the agenda and the presence of a strange Brother would be a disturbing factor. At such a time the Master may feel it in the best interest of the Lodge to deny admission. Also, it is the right of any member of a Lodge to object to the visitation of one not a member. You will find that except under most unusual circumstances you will be welcomed and made to feel at home.

May I visit any Masonic Lodge in the world?

Only those which are recognized by your Grand Lodge. If you plan a trip abroad and want to visit foreign Lodges, inquire of your Lodge's Secretary whether or not your Grand Lodge maintains fraternal relations with the Grand Bodies in the countries you will be visiting and wish to attend Lodge.

Does each officer in the line "step-up" or advance one place or station automatically each year?

No. Advancement should be for the good of the Lodge, and no officer is assumed of automatic preferment each year.

What are the three types of punishment which may be meted out to one convicted of un-Masonic conduct?

(1) Reprimand; (2) Suspension; (3) Expulsion.

What is The Grand Lodge?

The body governing Freemasonry within the state.

How many Grand Lodges are there in the United States of America?

Fifty-one.

What is a clandestine Mason?

A man belonging to an irregular or an unauthorized Lodge not subordinate to any Grand Lodge recognized by The Grand Lodge of the state in which you reside.

How old is Masonry?

No one knows for certain. Some early Masonic writers ascribe it literally to the time of King Solomon's Temple, and still others to the beginning of time; these were men who were so intrigued with the idea of a truly ancient society that they allowed wishful thinking to take place of known facts. We do find organizations of masons in the days of early Rome, but these were operative groups. The year 1717, when the Grand Lodge  of England was formed, is usually taken as the beginning of speculative Masonry. In all probability the organization did not take the form that we know it today until nearly the middle of the eighteenth century.

What is the origin of the "free" in Freemasonry?

Some say it originally applied to operative Masons who worked in freestone, and easily carved stone found in certain parts of England. Others have said that operative Masons, because of their skill, were free to travel from one part of the country to another to work, rather than remaining in one area. Still another explanation is that they were free of certain laws imposed on other workmen. Any one of these explanations may be right, or possibly a combination of all of them.

When did Masonry become transformed from operative to speculative?

This was a continuing development which required many years to consummate. After the Reformation in England, more and more non-operatives asked for, and received, membership in operative Lodges. Gradually their numbers became greater and their influence more powerful than the operatives until finally they were the dominant factor in the Lodges. When the Grand Lodge of England was formed in 1717, the operatives were few in number and eventually disappeared almost entirely from the new speculative organization. The entire transition period probably began around 1600 and ended more than a hundred years later.

Is Freemasonry a religion, or can it take the place of religion?

No, to both questions. "Religion" implies "a" religion, whereas Freemasonry is completely nonsectarian, hence its universality. While Masonry is religious in nature, it does not take the place of the religion a man finds in his church, synagogue, or other place of worship. Freemasonry is devoted to dogma.

Why is the Symbolical Lodge called the "Blue" Lodge?

There are several explanations which are accepted. One is that as the Lodge is a symbol of the world, then it is covered by the blue vault of heaven. Another is that blue has since time immemorial been associated with truth and fidelity. Dr. Albert Mackey points out another reason: That the word "blue" in Hebrew is derived from a root meaning "perfection" and that this color was thus adopted by Freemasonry as a natural association.

Why is King Solomon's Temple selected as one of the central symbols of Freemasonry?

King Solomon's Temple was long noted as one of the most famous and magnificent structures ever erected, as well as being the first temple to be dedicated to the one living and true God. Its appeal -- from both the architectural and religious standpoints -- was irresistible to operative and speculative Masons. Operative Masons must have revered the structure for its magnificence, while to speculative Masons this architectural perfection combined with its religious significance made it the logical symbol around which to center the teachings of Freemasonry.

Why do St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist appear so prominently in Freemasonry?

It was the custom of organizations of workmen in medieval times to adopt a patron saint or saints. Operative Masons selected St. John the Baptist as their patron because of his many virtues. It is believed that St. John the Evangelist was added as a second patron saint a great many years later for the same reason, probably in the latter part of the sixteenth century.

Why was the "Lodge of the Holy Sts. John" situated in Jerusalem?

After operative Masons had adopted the two Sts John as patrons, with the passing of time it was only natural they should come to think of them as having been Craftsmen. Since Craftsman should have a Lodge, the most logical place for this theoretical Lodge must be Jerusalem.

Why is perfection in Masonic ritual work regarded as so important?

For several reasons. One is that perfect ritual work makes a better impression on the candidate. Another is that it leads to greater pride in the Lodge on part of members and officers. Another is if slip-shod work became a custom, within a relatively short time ritual changes would be condoned; these in time would lead to still more laxity and the deletion of some parts and the insertion of new material. Within a few years the Masonic Ritual that we know and love would be a thing of the past.

How can there be such a thing as an "oblong square"?

Originally the word "square" meant any figure whose four corners were formed by  right angles. Later the word changed to mean a figure as we know it, with four sides of equal length and with right-angled corners. An "oblong" square in days gone by meant what we now term a rectangle.

Why is the discussion of religion or politics forbidden in a Lodge of Freemasons?

In the Constitution or Anderson, published in 1723, it is said: "No private piques or quarrels must be brought within the door of the Lodge, far less any quarrels about religion, or nations, or State policy." The injunction is based on the Old Constitutions which prohibited contention or quarreling within the Lodge.

When are the feasts of the two Sts. John?

June 24 for St. John the Baptist; December 27 for St. John the Evangelist.

What is the Regius Poem, or Halliwell Manuscript?

The oldest known Masonic document is the Regius Poem, or Halliwell Manuscript, as it is sometimes called in honor of its discoverer. It dates back to approximately A.D. 1390. It is written in doggerel verse and is in Chaucerian English. It contains the "Legend of the Craft," which takes Masonry (in theory) back to Egypt long before the days of King Solomon's Temple, and tells later of the convention of Masons supposedly held at York, England, in A.D. 926 under the sponsorship of King Athelstan. It is believed that the book is copied from still older manuscripts, including "Instructions to a Parish Priest." The book is still in good condition and is now in the British Museum.

Whence came the familiar words "So mote it be!"?

They are the last words of the Regius Poem and, of course, mean "Amen" or "So may it be!"

May a maimed or otherwise handicapped man be made a Mason?

The Old Charges specified that apprentices must be sound in body -- obviously necessary in operative Masonry because of manual labor workmen of the mason's trade had to do. This was carried over into speculative Masonry and for a long time no man with "maim or defect" was accepted for membership. Gradually this strict rule has been relaxed.

Were Masons responsible for the Boston Tea Party?

No one knows. Some writers have stated that they were and that the minutes of a Boston Lodge mention that on the night in question the Lodge could not be opened because of poor attendance.

What is a Lewis? A louveteau?

The Lewis is a form of iron cramp by which heavy stones can be raised. In English Freemasonry it is used as a symbol of strength. The son of a Mason is called a Lewis because he is supposed to be the strength and support of his aging parent. In some instances in the past a Lewis had been made a Mason before reaching legal age, according to some writers. North Dakota accepts a petition from a Lewis prior to legal age but does not initiate him until he is twenty-one. A louveteau -- young wolf -- is the French equivalent of a Lewis.

Who were Gormogons?

An anti-Masonic group in the early days of speculative Masonry.

What was the Morgan Affair?

This unfortunate occurrence took place in 1826. William Morgan was a man whose habits and character should have barred him automatically from becoming a Mason, but in some way he became a member of the Fraternity. When he petitioned a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in Batavia, New York, and was rejected he swore to have revenge by publishing the secrets of Freemasonry. He disappeared and it was claimed by Morgan's friends that he had been murdered by Masons. Despite the lack of evidence of such a crime, several Masons were sent to jail for varying lengths of time and a storm of criticism arose against the order, spreading rapidly throughout the country. The Fraternity was badly affected, many Lodges surrendering their Charters. Membership dropped to a fraction of what it had been. Gradually the storm blew over, Lodges reopened, and with twenty years the effects of the Morgan affair were over.

What is "Prince Hall Masonry"?

Prince Hall was a Negro living in Boston about the time of the Revolutionary War. He and fourteen other Negroes were made Masons in that city by a military Lodge connected with the British army. Later they applied for, and received, a Charter from the Grand Lodge of England. After Prince Hall died the Lodge ceased to function. Years later a petition was sent to the Grand Lodge of England for a new Charter, but no answer to the petition was received. The Negro Masons then announced that because of their color and race they were not subject to the usual Masonic regulations and established their own "Grand Lodge," bearing the name Prince Hall, and began to issue charters to Negroes for subordinate Lodges. In 1983, the Phylaxis Society, a research organization within Prince Hall Freemasonry, reported about 5,000 Lodges with 300,000 members. (from A Prince Hall Masonic Quiz Book, by Joseph A Walker, Jr.)

What is a "moon" Lodge?

In times when streets and roads were few, nonexistent, or extremely bad and travel was by horse and buggy, or on foot many Masonic Lodges set their meeting date at the time of the full moon each month, so that its light would aid members on their way to Lodge. With the coming of modern transportation and artificial illumination for streets the dependence on the moon for lighting disappeared. A few "moon" Lodges still exist, however, to carry on the tradition.

What are Masonic "Landmarks"?

According to the celebrated Masonic writer, Dr. Albert G. Mackey, they are "those peculiar marks of distinction by which we are separated from the profane world and by which we are enabled to designate our inheritance as the 'Son's of Light'. . . The universal language and the universal laws of Masonry are Landmarks, but not the local ceremonies, laws, and usage's, which vary in different countries." Mackey lists twenty-five Landmarks. Others list fewer, and others more.

Why are Lodges in some Jurisdictions known as A.F.&A.M., in others as F.&A.M.?

From 1751 until 1813 there were two Grand Lodges in England, one called the "Moderns" (actually the older of the two) and the other termed the "Ancients." The latter used the title Ancient Free & Accepted Masons (A.F.&A.M.) while the original Grand Lodge used Free & Accepted Masons (F.&A.M.). Charters to Lodges in the United States were issued by each body and hence the difference. Twenty-four Grand Jurisdictions in the United States use A.F.&A.M., twenty -three use F.&A.M. One, South Carolina, uses A.F.M., and the District of Columbia uses F.A.A.M.

Who were the Quatuor Coronati?

These are the Four Crowned Martyrs, and the story is one of the legends of operative Masonry. In one version, these were four skilled workmen who ere Christians living in the third century A.D. They were employed by the Roman Emperor Diocletian. When they refused to erect a statue to a pagan god they were sealed alive in lead coffins and thrown into the River Tiber. Haloes were said to have arisen above their bodies. Various guilds adopted them as their patrons, but English Masons did not recognize them as part of the their tradition until the latter part of the fifteenth century. The oldest Masonic research Lodge takes its name from them -- Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, of London.